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Matt Sarver

Charlotte, NC Real Estate - Free Home Inspection or Home Warranty

02-10-09
Matt Sarver

Purchase a home or sell a home through Matt Sarver with Keller Williams Realty and receive a free home inspection or home warranty. Click on this link to print out your coupon http://www.charlottehomeupdate.com/Coupon/page_2186102.html

Business opportunity for Realtors - Leverage is key in Real Estate success

01-27-09
Matt Sarver

If you are like me, I get calls at least once a week on how I can purchase leads, featured listings, websites, etc. and on occasion find that the person telling me about there product is an agent themselves. I have come across a business called LocalAdLink that is in pre-launch and is officially open March 2009. LocalAdlink is a online business that is basically a mix of yellow pages and sponsored links but instead of pay per click you have a flat rate charge and instead of being on just one search engine or website your ad will be spread across too many to count search engines and websites including google, ask.com, facebook, boomj, etc., so you have much higher exposure. Your ad gives you a description of your business or service, displays your website, map of location and directions and depending on your plan you can have videos and coupons as well. Plus, they use a geo-targeted technology that where you plug in zip codes in a 20 mile radius to target people you want to see your business or ad. I have been working on my website non-stop for the last couple of years trying to get leads that turn into sales without having to spend a ton of money and I am just now starting to see progress. With LocalAdlink you don't even need a website for people to see your business or service yet your ad appears at the top of many search engines (not everytime but you definetly have a web prescense). Since, I have joined I have seen a signifcant increase in traffic to my website, which in turn leads to leads and sales. Since, I joined I can work on this on my spare time and use it as leverage for financial freedom as the company pays 50% of all ads I sell with other incentives. Everything is geared towards the internet these days and as we go green and Yellowpages is no longer being passed out in some major cities, people are going to search and find the business or servicer online. Since, it costs a lot of time and money to be put on the top of search engines this hurts many of the small businesses who do not have the time, resources or money to have a web precense. To see more info on this opportunity visit http://mylocaladlink.com and e-mail me at mattsarver@kw.com or call me at 704-506-2323 to find out how you can get started.

Charlotte, NC Real Estate - Tips on buying the right home

01-27-09
Matt Sarver

Finding the right home is like a balancing act. You may find one home that is in a great neighborhood, location and schools but the curb appeal and interior needs work. You find a a beautiful home online with great curb appeal with all the upgrades but when you go to the property it is in a poor location or there are undesirables surrounding the home, etc. If you have the money to spend you can increase your price and get the great neighborhood, location, curb appeal, and interior you love but if you have must haves such as the best schools, waterfront, city view, a particular desirable community etc and you combine that with a price limit then you end up having to make some sacrifices somewhere. One option is putting in the offer that the seller give upgrade allowances, such as carpet, wood floors, change the hardware and fixtures, paint, fence, appliances etc. Most homeowners do not initially have the money to pay for these upgrades and also buyers have differant opinions or preferances in decor for the home. So, in order to make the deal work you have a few options: 1. Is you can speak with your lender where they have programs that will pay for repairs, renovations, etc. as they are done. 2. You can ask the seller to make the requested renovations before closing. In this option the seller may request a higher earnest money deposit that would be non-refundable in case you the buyer backs out of the deal last minute. 3. You can ask for an allowance that would be put into escrow or given to you at closing, but in this case you would have to check with your lender and attorney to see if this is an option since many lenders frown on money given back to buyer at closing. When looking at properties buyers always get excited and Wowed with a home that is finished with all the upgrades but they may be paying much more for the home that is finished then if they go with a home that needs the updates in a better neighborhood or location by working out the details with the seller. If you have questions or interested in finding the right home for you please call Matt Sarver at 704-506-2323, e-mail MattSarver@kw.com or visit http://www.CharlotteHomeUpdate.com where you can find homes for sale in Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas including Lake Norman Real Estate, cornelius, huntersville, davidson, denver, mooresville, matthews, indian trail, monroe, and more!

Great time to buy a home but do you feel stuck in your current home? Scenarios to help.

12-30-08
Matt Sarver

It is a Great Time to Buy a home as interest rates are at historical lows, foreclosures are at record levels and many are nice and in move in condition. Even builders are trying to get rid of inventory as well as motivated sellers who are in a must sell situation. But, you have a home to sell and you know that it is not a good time to sell to get your max equity out of your home. You do have options! The best scenario when relocating is to be able to sell your current home for what you want and get a great deal on your next home at a interest rate that is at historical lows, but that is not likely to happen. The next best scenerio is to rent out your current home and get a great deal on your next home, where you want to live at the price you can afford, and when the market rebounds then sell your now rental home and have the best of both worlds as far as being able to live in the home you want in the location you want and get the money or value from both the properties. The next best scenario is if you have equity in your current home, sell below market value and make it up when you buy your next home because of the great price and interest rate. That way your basically in the same condition you are in now but you are in the home you want in the location you want. The other scenario is to wait for the market to rebound and you may get what you want for your current home but you may also pay a higher price on the next and have a higher interest rate, possibly keeping you from getting the home you ultimatly want in the location you want. I hope this all makes sence and I know there are job factors to consider as well but if that is not an issue then I would consider the first couple of scenarios. If you are in a postion that you want to sell your current home below market price or rent it out I can either refer a Real Estate agent in your area to you and negotiate the selling commission for you which will save you money or if you are in the Charlotte, NC and surrounding counties area then I can list your home at a negotiated commission to help you sell your home, so that you are able to move into the home of your dreams! I know this is a lot to ponder but with historical low interest rates, low prices, now is a great time to buy as you can get a better home in a better location during these times. Please call Matt Sarver with Keller Williams Realty at 704-506-2323, e-mail MattSarver@kw.com or visit my website at http://www.CharlotteHomeUpdate.com to see what we can do for you!

Tax Benefits of owning investment property

12-09-08
Matt Sarver

The following article is Copyright Mortgage-Investments.com, Inc. and is used with their permission.

Tax benefits of real estate investment

There are many different types of investment real estate: rental houses, apartments, vacant land, commercial buildings, industrial, shopping centers or warehouses.

They all offer big tax incentives for investors who understand those benefits.

Many people believe that depreciation is the best real estate tax deduction of all. The IRS REQUIRES real estate investors to depreciate their investment properties.
Depreciation is a "paper loss" required for estimated wear, tear and obsolescence. However, land value is not depreciable. This applies to 100% of the money invested in buying vacant land and that part of the property value apportioned to land on an improved property. (That is, land with a building on it).
Condominiums do not have a land element and 100% of the purchase price can be depreciated.

bullet Residential income property is depreciated over 27.5 years on a straight-line basis.
bullet Commercial property is depreciated over 39 years, also on a straight-line basis.

Extra tax benefits of being treated as a "real estate professional".

If you are a "real estate professional" who meets certain time requirements and who "materially participates" in managing your investment property, you are allowed almost unlimited income tax-deductions from your investment property.

Time requirement

If you spend at least 750 hours per year, or more than half of your working hours, involved in real estate activities, you probably qualify as a "real estate professional."

There does not appear to be any clear IRS ruling on a semi-retired person with no occupation but real estate to which they devote say, 200 hours a year.

Full-time real estate brokers, realty sales agents, property managers, builders, contractors and leasing agents are examples of qualified real estate professionals.
However, the tax law excludes real estate attorneys and mortgage brokers from qualifying. Unless, one must assume, they spend more than 50% of their working hours investing in real estate. This would include managing, buying and selling real estate.

If you invest in real estate but do not qualify as a "real estate professional" , you are limited to a maximum annual $25,000 realty investment property loss deduction against their ordinary taxable income. This is called the passive loss restriction. This "loss" includes the paper loss created by depreciation.

Another catch. If your annual adjusted income exceeds $100,000, the $25,000 loss deduction gradually phases out. At the $150,000 adjusted income level, the allowable tax loss deduction goes to zero.

Any undeducted real estate investment tax loss is "suspended" for future use, such as at the time the property is sold at a profit. Then you may subtract the unused suspended tax loss from your capital gain to lower the taxable profit. See below.

Material participation requirement

Participation is critical. You can hire a professional property manager and still meet the material participation requirement, and claim the unlimited tax deductions as a professional.
Day-to-day operating details, such as collecting rents, evicting tenants and unclogging toilets, can be delegated to this manager.
But, you must make the major decisions, such as setting rents, approving major expenses and qualifying new tenants. Remember of course the time requirement.

Depreciation of personal property such as appliances

Personal property used in operating the property, such as appliances, is depreciated over shorter periods, typically five to 10 years. Even automobiles and trucks used in the investment operation can be depreciated over their useful lives.

First-year 100% deduction

There is also the new first-year 100 percent tax deduction for up to $100,000 of business equipment purchased. This would include appliances. Sorry but you can't buy a brand new Mercedes and deduct 100% of the cost from your taxes in the first year. But there are special rules for work vehicles, such as trucks. Ask your CPA for more details.

Depreciation is a non-cash deduction

It reduces taxable income from the investment property. But, in contrast to property taxes, mortgage interest, utilities, insurance and repairs, it doesn't require any cash outlay. The depreciation expense deduction can result in a positive cash flow property becoming a loss maker for tax purposes.

Most investment properties go up in value every year, but on paper their value is going down.

Unfortunately, unused tax losses from investment properties cannot be carried back to prior tax years to claim a tax refund.

IRS Notice 88-94 allows use of suspended passive activity tax losses (assuming you do NOT qualify as a professional with material participation) from realty investment assets to offset profits from the sale of the property. The tax result is that you can use suspended property losses on an total basis, rather than property-by-property.

Recapture of depreciation benefits

The maximum capital gains tax rate was reduced to 15 percent in 2003 for assets owned more than 12 months. (If held for less than 12 months gains are taxed as ordinary income.)
However, the IRS requires that you "recapture" the tax saving from your income tax at a special 25 percent depreciation "recapture" tax rate when the property is sold. This apply whether or not you qualify as a "real estate professional."

Example of recapture

bullet Suppose you bought an investment property for $500,000 and deducted $150,000 of depreciation during your ownership years.
bullet That means your book value (also called "adjusted cost basis") declined to $350,000. Then you sold for $650,000.
bullet Your capital gain is therefore $300,000 ($650,000 minus $350,000).
bullet Of that $300,000 capital gain, the $150,000 depreciation deducted will be "recaptured" and taxed at the 25 percent special federal tax rate.
bullet The $150,000 remainder of your capital gain will be taxed at the new 15 percent maximum tax rate.
bullet Click here to go to our real estate capitals gains calculator.